Private Rotten Symphony

[SOMNOL-716]

//LOCATION: NAR SHADDAA, LEANING RANCOR
CURRENT OBJECTIVE: 'RELAX'
CURRENT MOOD: UNDEFINED//

Theme
​

Nar Shaddaa would always be infested with dangerous and undesirable creatures.

Greed was one of the few constants Somnol had noticed in everything, living or otherwise. Everything wanted something. Money, fame, companionship, these end goals were what motivated all sorts of beings to do all sorts of things. On Nar Shaddaa, these desires twisted their pursuers into killers of fortune, criminals who would brush aside any sort of obligation to achieve their wants and needs. Nearly everyone here would disassemble himself and Hound, given the chance.

That was why Somnol was on high-alert. That, and the fact that they had been attacked quite viciously last time they set foot on the planet. The three mercenaries had killed quite a few organics in self-defense, with varying degrees of dismemberment. One would think that would dissuade further provocation, but who could say?

Given the current occupancy of the Leaning Rancor bar, which was quite heavy, a server would visit their table in approximately six-and-a-half minutes. They had found a shady corner booth, one of those common places reserved for broody loners, now shared by two. Somnol wasn't quite sure where Bao was, but he figured her alone time was both required, and well deserved by the swordmaster. She didn't strike Somnol as the social type. Then again, Somnol didn't strike Somnol as the social type either.

He was here to ensure Hound's safety, that much he knew. Likely, to protect her in case she became non-functional through inebriation. Still, after running a few combat simulations, the droid was positive Hound could likely take on most of the room even while plastered.

//There are few things I enjoy more than a room filled to the brim with sweaty, violent organics with suppressed inhibitions,// the droid noted to his employer, overflowing with sarcasm like foam from a beer glass.

- Iella Sunscream -

 

[Aayla Shan]

(alt post )

 

[Iella Sunscream]

Location: Nar Shaddaa - Leaning Rancor
Objective: Drink & Earhustle
Equipment: Herself, M18 Pit Viper , 1x Shiva Knives , 1x VB-113 "Tidefall" Class Vibroblade, A present for SOMNOL

She was taking it easy tonight, or as easy as it could be taken anyway. Leaning her head back and chugging down some ice cold beer. This may have been a better option to liquor. Actually, she was calling it. She was a beer drinker, not an alcohol drinker. She leaned back, smirking and jerking right back forward towards Somnol.

"I can't believe they've got music like this in the jukebox... Any other time I come it's that pop-synth crap.. You really sold me on this stuff, Its relaxing, and it just carries you know..."

She offered him, clasping her hands together then. Damn she wanted a cigarette bad, but knew she better quit. Sure she wouldn't catch cancer, but even she couldn't get too frugal with money; those Synth-lungs would probably have to get cleaned from all the gunk eventually. Instead, she was biting the inside of her bottom lip intermittently, to fight the craving for one; the smell of cigaro and cigarette wafting from other areas of the establishment doing nothing to help in this regard.

With that, she leaned under the table, grasping onto something secretly. and eyeballing the droid.

"Okay, you're right BUT! LOOK at em'... " She had lowered her voice, looking out at the crowd of the bar that night. Visibly, it was chilled out. With couples even taking to slow dancing in the middle of the floor. A musical selection had done that.. She would smirk at it, not exactly a Doom & Gloom connoisseur herself, she was still a regular girl in mind andspirit; who enjoyed regular things herself.

If SOMNOL did turn his head at all, she would reveal a small data-chip with one track on it, She had heard it in passing, and figured it was right up the droid's alley,

"Surprise, I gotcha' something..." She smirked more at herself than him, feeling suddenly giddy. She knew it would tough for Droids. Though, she was the type of person who believed Droids for what they believed themselves to be. If they felt as though they felt emotion, then she would believe that; within reason. She also knew she could ask SOMNOL to pull someones spinal cord out, and he wouldn't bat an eye. There was a fine line in there somewhere...

SOMNOL-716 SOMNOL-716

 

[SOMNOL-716]

Somnol brought his chassis just a little higher as Hound praised his musical tastes. It was a point of personal pride, and he felt a sense of accomplishment from having it validated. It was enough to break his guard for the moment, as he swayed back and forth ever so slightly to the beat.

The fact that they were dancing didn't change the fact that they were murderous, greedy pariahs of society. Despite that, Somnol did find watching their slow, cautious movements enjoyable. //They are still violent. And sweaty,// he added, not yet willing to concede the point, despite his tone softening.

He flagged this memory in his banks. Something for further review. Perhaps during a particularly long, solitary shift at the helm of the Cutter.

Somnol sensed movement from his employer, and turned his head, diplomatically. //What is this?// The droid reached out gingerly, and took the datachip, carefully cradling it in his hands. What might she have given him? Undoubtedly something to assist his role as a mercenary. Perhaps it was a new combat protocol? A systems upgrade?

He cocked his head at her, confused. //How much do I owe you for it?//

- Iella Sunscream -

 

[Iella Sunscream]

His response caused her to frown just a bit, shaking her head as a laugh left her lips. "Nothing Sommy, its a.. It's a gift. Hasn't anyone ever got you a gift before? You do it when you want to show someone you appreciate them, or what they do for you. They're supposed to be free." Iella explained the concept of a gift to him, sliding her empty beer glass aside, and waving down the barkeeper for another. Movement at the door caused her eyes to flick over, noting two familiar faces. Well chit...

She slowly rotated to him, not saying anything at first, as it seemed they didn't notice them yet. "You remember the last time we were here, we had some issues... The two guys that scampered off from the fight just walked in... Don't look... Hopefully they don't notice... I don't wanna get banned from this place, they have the best beer. Plus the bartender likes me, he just hates it when I leave bodies around the place."

She admitted, hunching her shoulders, and hanging her head lightly. For now it should do well to keep them off of their radar, not to mention the other duo had gone around the corner slightly, and out of sight.

SOMNOL-716

 

[SOMNOL-716]

Somnol had a competent grasp of Galactic Basic, so he understood the word 'gift'. It was a simple thing, used in the lexicon not just for presents, but also for talent. He had just never seen something so benign given to another before. //No, I have not received a gift before,// the droid admitted, holding the datachip like it was a delicate bird that could fly away at any moment. What was on it? He needed to know.

With deft fingers, he opened the back of his head, and inserted the chip, twitching a little as the drive's information was dumped into his processing unit. He was about to explore it, but Hound brought his attention back to the moment.

He cast his sensors out in the direction she noted, and frowned. He'd deleted his memory banks regarding the descriptions of these hooligans, and even if he hadn't, his lack of sight meant that faces were difficult to distinguish between. Still, Hound's motion towards the two walking in was enough for him to pick up on them as they weaved through the crowd, and out of sight.

Well, not out of his sight.

//I possess thermal sensors out to a range of thirty meters. I can observe them for a while, if you wish.// They were within Somnol's sensor range, but his ability to identify murderous intent was lacking. Still, he would keep an 'eye' on them, and if they raised blasters or attempted to sneak their way over, he would know about it. //However, hiding in plain sight is not one of my fortes. I have a rather recognizable form.//

SOMNOL-716 tried his best to look inconspicuous, which involved staying very, very still. Perhaps they would think he was an expensive chair decoration. He took the moment to analyze the chip. It was... a sound file?

//Music?// Sommy could barely believe the diagnostic. //I...//

Somnol's processing matrix stalled. He didn't have words.

- Iella Sunscream -

 

[Iella Sunscream]

She was peering off behind the pair, aware they hadn't made them yet; or at least they hadn't let on that they had seen them anyway. As such, when he offered that bit of information about himself, she would shake her head in a no-no manner. "Don't bother... The amount of losses they took that night, if they were still strong; they would be walking around like it. Plus that had to be traumatic. You and Bao worked them over pretty good. Humans can get shell-shocked by stuff like that, you know? Traumatized?" Iella continued, eyes widening on the last word. Not at all blaming him, but simply trying to give him a different concept. In the end, if they wanted the problem, they could also come and say something; they had tried to kill her once already, she had on reason to pretend to go into discourse with them anymore.

Plus, this was supposed to be a night to just chill out. Preferably not rip anything off, or out of anyone. Then again, even with that exactly philosophy, she was always down to blast the hell outta' someone. She glanced back over, noting Sommy had went to observe what was on the chip immediately. She made some space at the table as her beer had just gotten there. This was number two for the night. She used a napkin and wiped at the glass, before gulping a few swigs, covering her mouth as a light burp emanated from her form.

She was still watching Sommy as she noted that a few beats had passed and he hadn't said anything.

"Sommy? Don't tell me that thing had a virus on it; you alright?"

She asked curiously, heart panging once. She would've murdered that shopkeep if he had given her something shoddy.

SOMNOL-716

 

[SOMNOL-716]

Somnol quickly recovered his faculties once Hound expressed concern, quick to put his hands up, as if the gesture could assuage her fears. //No, the datachip appears to be free of malware.//

He hadn't had the chance to listen to it. He couldn't process the sound internally, and he wasn't equipped with speakers, or else he would have begun playing it then and there. He instead took it out of his brain, and slipped it into a chest compartment, for safe keeping.

//It's just... I didn't think you would have... Apologies, my lexicon appears to be malfunctioning.// The droid shook his head a little, as if to clear it of stray ones and zeroes. It apparently worked, as his thoughts crystalized.

//I am attempting to express my gratitude. I will be sure to listen to it as soon as I can. Art is very important to me.// His hand touched his torso off-handedly.

Just then, Somnol had an excellent idea.

//If someone were to acquire a gift for you,// he began, confident that he was performing with the utmost subtlety, //what might you want? What do you enjoy?//

- Iella Sunscream -

 

[Iella Sunscream]

She leaned back when he seemed to come to his senses. Smirking at his words. "Good..." She mumbled, drinking more of that alcohol, and jigging lightly in her sitting position. There was a tune in her head apparently. "I like breaking norms, you could say... If you're malfunctioning expressing your gratitude, then just consider me sated on thanks; I know you like art, you're always playing that kinda' stuff on the cutter..." Iella admitted, not completely understanding why he seemed so touched by it, although he had told her no one had ever gotten him a gift. It made sense though, why would anyone get a droid a gift right?

She didn't think like that though, in her mind the droid was just as important as any human she had ever met; and in some ways more reliable. She couldn't help but laugh, holding her head down a little as he obviously suggested getting her something in return.

"I don't do stuff like that cause I expect something in return, I told you... I do like blasters though... Slug-throwers to be specific. They're more universal you know, versus a blaster. Specially' when you've got people running around the galaxy that can easily turn a blaster bolt back on you..."

Iella shrugged after that, looking back on the floor, and spotting a single face peering around the corner at them. Well chit... Seemed they weren't as inconspicuous as she thought they were. She was gonna have to find a new place to drink. That was depressing. This place was cheap, and relatively clean. She didn't even say anything to Sommy, assuming he as well had been tracking the pair, and was aware they were sizing them up.

"Do you ever wonder why you were made the way you did Sommy? I mean, like... You could have been a protocol droid, or an astromech... You're a combat droid though..."

She mused, sipping at that beer again.

SOMNOL-716

 

[SOMNOL-716]

Somnol laced his metal fingers together, turning his faceplate down to the interlocked digits. //If that is the case, I thank you, from the bottom of my motivator.// He then catalogued what Hound said about a possible gift in return. A slugthrower? A rather simple weapon, as he understood it, but deadly in the right hands. He would have to purchase one for her, to show his own appreciation.

Due to Hound's insistence, the droid had declined to focus on the possible adversarial forces of the spacer bar, but even he noticed the turned head. Per the instructions given to him, he didn't act on this information, nor did he even acknowledge it's existence. If the organic became a threat, it would be dealt with like one, no matter the stains on the floor the janitor would have to scrape up.

Instead, SOMNOL-716 focused on the question posed before him. The droid crossed his arms over his chest, processors whirring. It took him a moment to answer. He wanted to be sure he conveyed his point properly.

//I am a BLX-series labor droid,// Somnol began, his proper voice slowing with ponderous weight. //I have no memory of my creation, nor do I possess any of my original protocols, but I can only assume I was designed for manual labor. The memories of my original programming, whatever life I held previously, are damaged by an amateur memory wipe.//

He looked out over the bar's residents. //I have attempted to create my own purpose. To leave behind the past that was wiped from my memory, and modify myself in service of my own path. But...//

//... I cannot help but wonder what my Creator had envisioned for me.//

Somnol's stillness was apparent. It happened whenever he thought of his past. Or, more accurately, lack of a past.

//Do you ever wonder why you were created?// Somnol turned the question back on it's originator. //I understand that droids are exclusively built with a purpose in mind. Do you believe you have a purpose?//

- Iella Sunscream -

 

[Iella Sunscream]

Iella snorted a bit at him thanking her from the bottom of his motivator; you didn't get that everyday from a droid. Especially not a droid that had the propensity to sever limb from owner. "I'm touched..." She said, shaking her head a bit. Listening to what he knew of his past, she couldn't help but wonder if that amateur memory wipe was actually a professional one. It wasn't beyond reality that someone could've used him for a particularly nasty job, then wiped him. After all, labor droids weren't particularly the model that people built kill bots out of.

She wagered whoever built him needed an unassuming droid for something nefarious though, keeping that much to herself; she did something without asking... Iella activated the Shisen N5 Optical Implant's that had replaced both her original eyes; running a full diagnostic on the other then; unless something in his system was protected, or he wasn't connected in the holonet; she would be able to easily diagnose what the cause of his memory deficiencies were.

It was at that point his next question caused her to guffaw... Chit, she didn't wanna' talk about her parents. "I ask myself that sometimes too Sommy... Who knows. I stopped caring after my seventeenth birthday... I think my p-... Creators, did too... I mean I've lifted a little over 1.4 million credits from then combined in the last year, and they haven't even asked me about it... Didn't even ask why. In the end my purpose is gonna' be what I make it... And staying alive..."

She responded, giving Sommy a little more information about herself that she intended too; enough at least, that he could probably work out she wasn't exactly cut from the same cloth as the people around them right now; she chose to be here...

SOMNOL-716

 

[SOMNOL-716]

Somnol's systems were something else to behold.

It appeared as if each of his limbs had a small, simple processor in it, droid brains that coordinated his every movement. The contents of his chassis was a beautiful latticework of wires and conduits, braided by a careful hand, surrounding an open compartment, but whatever was within the space wasn't connected to his systems, so it was invisible to the implants. All of his sensor data was located in his chest, which was certainly odd for any droid.

In stark contrast, the mechanics of his head were an absolute mess of fraying and stray wires. This was where his memory core was located, and the damage on it was easy to see. It appeared that the systems were there, but heavily compromized, a hardware issue rather than a software issue.

Somnol stayed blissfully unaware of the scrutiny, instead watching the man watching them. Still, he listened to her as she told her story. Once she finished, he gestured with a hand, the movement oddly natural.

//One-point-four million?// Of course, the droid hyperfixiated on the numbers. //That is an incredible amount of credits. Your Creators must have been successful. I presume they had something for you in mind. Which is why you are here, and not there.//

//But I understand, more completely than most organic beings, the value of eschewing what you were created for in the service of your own desires and aspirations.// Then, with his hands rising into air quotes; //I believe the expression is 'you do you'.//

//Now, that man has been watching us for the past minute. In the service of both of our aspirations to survive, could we kill him now?// His voice growled as combat mode surfaced, and within his head, the damaged memory core sparked a little.

- Iella Sunscream -

 

[Iella Sunscream]

She listened to SOMNOL, and rolled her eyes once. She didn't want to hear about how successful those Fethers were... Then he mentioned they must have had something in mind for her. Maybe... She did go to one of the most prestigious schools available. And yet, she never meshed with her parents. She had a murderous intent for her Mother, but wasn't sick enough to act on it. That being said, SOMNOL was going to get someone else's ass kicked if he kept talking about this stuff.

Iella looked down at the beer as he droned on, aware he couldn't see how unenthused she was with this conversation. Half a cup left as she rose the glass to her lips, chortling lightly as she chugged from the words he'd placed in those air-quotes; gulping more, and slamming the glass down on the table after he had said the word now.

"Yeah..."

She said, standing up and shaking her head till her braid hung free at her back. Sliding her Starfall vibroblade from the table, by its sheath. At that, she made a smooth motion in the direction of the bar, letting that generally cool exterior melt away. She hated being reminded of her origins. He had said one thing right, she did her; she was just biding her time until they disowned her honestly. It wouldn't be too long now she wagered.

As she rounded the far end of the corner she noted that about six other gentlemen had gathered in the back; the initial gentleman that had been eyeballing them moved to a standing position, staring her down.

"You thi- n-kaa" The second word didn't get much time to get out, as she displayed some hellish quickdraw; in the same instance she drew the M18 Pit Viper from its holster, she pulled the trigger aimed right as his chest. The Armor Piercing Ballistic Capped High Explosive Shatter dart chambered in 10x40 millimeter did no favors to his chest; and man there was blood; she didn't hesitate, and turned it on the crowd. Firing at another, anything the rounds hit seemed to explode on contact in a shower of blood. Though the weapon had a ridiculous kick, her Tsuyoi Enhanced CyberArms held it steady, already lining up a third.

Not to worry though, they all were all drawing weapons, getting ready to trade with her. She seemed unphased that she might actually get shot... Perhaps in a way she was hoping one of them did take her out.

SOMNOL-716

 

[SOMNOL-716]

Somnol followed dutifully behind Hound as they stalked their former assailants. The droid took an interest in the way his employer moved, the mechanics of her enhanced muscles moving her forward. He began moving similarly as his programming catalogued the motion, each step by Hound followed a beat later by his own.

Once they approached the group, Somnol was ready to spring into action as soon as Hound was. A moment after her shot rang out across the bar, Somnol's own blaster pistol was in his hand, aimed at the chest of another. It wasn't a highly-tuned explosive shatterdart, but a laser bolt would have the same effect on these foolish people, in the end.

The death of a sweaty, violent organic.

Not to say that the rest of these undesirables weren't quick on the draw. They got their blasters out with relative speed, and aimed them. Most were going for Hound, as the organic, she was likely the greater threat in their eyes. Given the carnage of one weapon discharge, Somnol was inclined to agree. Still, he couldn't allow them to damage his source of income.

Somnol shoved his way into the crowd of now four people, vibroblades rushing from his arms. He managed to tank two shots headed for Hound, one in his midsection, the other at one of his elbow joints, the heat of the weapons marring his perfectly polished bronzium plating and the delicate machinery beneath. In retaliation, the vibroblade lashed out at one of these brigands, cutting their weapon in half. Along with the hand holding it.

//I suggest you find cover, Ms. Hound,// the droid said, sundering the same man from below his armpit to his clavicle. He didn't have time to say more, as the battle continued on.

- Iella Sunscream -

 

[Iella Sunscream]

Well she was banned from this establishment... She slid a little to her left, and pressed forward; a blaster shot hitting her side, and glancing off... Somehow. She growled in pain, and refocused the Pit Viper, firing again as another individual's upper features were vaporized on contact. She was laser focused on killing every one. She didn't like back and forth. And with how this had boiled down, she didn't want any of them to run this time; if they did, she was going to follow and finish it.

//I suggest you find cover, Ms. Hound,//

Ms? Yeah, they weren't doing that, ever. She appreciated the Droid's respectful gesture though. As one of the gentlemen went into cover, she sprinted across the partition, raising the weapon and executing another and holding her left arm in the air briefly, as it seemingly... Split open... Revealing dual vibroblade that sung on the air alone. As the hiding individual raised, he was cleaved in three clean pices of meat; groaning and falling dead as a doornail. Her head whipped, noting there was supposed to be one more....

He wasn't anywhere in sight though, while she could've probably used a vision mode to track him she instead would look to Sommy with a nod.

"Where did he go?"

SOMNOL-716

 

[SOMNOL-716]

Somnol was completely at home in the chaotic melee of a battle.

Because it wasn't chaos to him. Instead of an unpredictable miasma of danger, he calmly categorized it as sensor data. He saw everything in that moment, could react to everything. So when Hound was shot, but simply shrugged it off, the droid was a little confused, but he fought on, especially as his employer's well-placed shots gave him plenty of openings to perform his dark work.

Somnol noticed that his elbow joint was sticking, moving slower than it's optimal speed. Likely due to a nasty blaster weld. SOMNOL-716 decided to use that to his advantage, completely extending his arms, and locking them in place. He then began to spin on his hips, slightly altering his blade's positions on every rotation, a literal maelstrom of death to any enemies left around him.

He stopped when he saw Hound's... forearm... blade...

Somnol could only look at his own blades as Hound's own revealed itself, and the droid was a little jealous, and very blown away, all at the same time. He knew the organic was cybernetically modified, but he had no idea to what extent. This was quite the extent.

When she spoke across the room at him, the combat droid could only point. The man was trying to dip between tables, headed for the exit, actually competently stealthy. He would likely make it, unless someone shot him very quickly.

- Iella Sunscream -

 

[Iella Sunscream]

She noticed the droid freeze up, swinging her hand in an arc rapidly to loose the blood from the twin blades, both edges loosing a shrill whistle from the action; and then she allowed them to collapse, forming her regular hand. Right hand raising the Viper in the direction he pointed. Right as the last gentleman in the door, she hit him in the back; splattering him. As he dropped, she holstered the weapon, looking around at the carnage. Where were they again? Nar Shaddaa - she was running out of places to hang out. And they started all this. She was sure of course they had killed most, if not all of this gang at this point though. They certainly couldn't have much more people hiding about. Iella glanced over her shoulder, then nodded to the back exit.

"I think a more discreet exit would be better..."

With that she turned, wiping the droplets of blood on her arm into her clothing. and pushing the swinging double doors into a storage area. From there, into a back alley. She didn't slow either, aware that some sort of authority would be by shortly to sort the mess out, and she didn't have Hutt extortion money. Hutt extortion money was always a little more than you were able to dish out. She would glance back periodically to make sure he followed, but otherwise beelined for the spaceport.

"You know Sommy, every time I go drinking with you... Its eventful."

She joked, snorting lightly. Seemingly unphased by the fact she had just murdered a group of people. Then again, they would've been just as if they had gotten it their way. Fair trade.

SOMNOL-716

 

[SOMNOL-716]

Somnol was rather silent as he posted up next to Hound, still scanning for enemies, despite the littering of viscera across the bar. They were on Nar Shaddaa, of course, so violence was a daily affair. But turning the Leaning Rancor into a meat-grinder was far from the cultural onus of the planet. The slow-dancing mood was certainly ruined, at least.

The droid was convinced that the most valuable life lost today was the life of the party.

SOMNOL-716 let his blades vibrate for a moment, shaking the blood from their keen edges and retracting them back into his arms. The droid also dropped the mood from the battle, disregarding the bodies around him rather quickly, same as his employer. He trailed behind Hound, stepping on a hand without quite realizing it, speaking after her as he walked. His oddly proper tone was amusingly stern.

//If by 'every time', you mean twice. Also, since I met you while you were already drunk, I hardly count that as 'going drinking together'. Also, I do not drink, since I am an inorganic being. Also...//

He pressed his hand against his chest compartment, as if he could feel the music datachip within.

//I look forward to all of our adventures being this 'eventful'.// More air quotes.

- Iella Sunscream -